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Construction industry news and legislation

The recent High Court decision of Maxcon Constructions Pty Ltd v Vadasz [2018] HCA 5 confirmed that any contract clause which ties the release of retention to some event under the Head Contract will be a “pay when paid” provision under the Security of Payment legislation and therefore that relevant clause is void or of no effect. The High Court’s [...]

(FAX NOT PROPER SERVICE ANYMORE) You can now serve notices (i.e. Payment Claims, Payment Schedules, Statutory Notices, Adjudication Applications etc) by way of email and the ability to serve any such notices by facsimile has been removed except where you contract provides for service by facsimile. The above has been brought about by the Electronic Transactions Legislation Amendment [...]

The Home Building Amendment Act 2014 comprised of various amendments to the Home Building Act 1989. These changes commenced on 15 January 2015. There is no longer a distinction between structural and non-structural defects. There is now the two different categories of general defects and major defects. Under the Act, major defects will attract a six year warranty period and [...]

It is common for disputes to take place when you are in the process of building or renovating your home. These disputes may be minor or major. Major disputes often require the intervention of specialised building disputes lawyers in order for a resolution to be reached. Often the cause of these disputes are building defects however, they may be disputes [...]

In most Australian states there is a dedicated Act of Parliament that regulates all domestic building contracts. In New South Wales the Act is the Home Building Act 1989 (NSW). Further, these Acts generally refer the resolution of any building disputes to the relevant tribunal in that state. In New South Wales, most disputes with builders are resolved through the [...]

CTI Lawyers Alert – Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Amendment On 1 May 2015, the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Amendment (Retention Money Trust Account) Regulation 2015 (“the Amendment Regulation) will take effect. This is available on the NSW Government’s legislation website (www.legislation.nsw.gov.au). Click here for a copy of the Draft Building and Construction Industry Security [...]

In New South Wales, a “ground-breaking” cash retention trust scheme will be established to ensure construction companies are prevented from using cash retention monies for purposes other than rectifying defects in the contract defects liability period. The scheme will particularly protect subcontractors in the industry from collapsing construction companies and the infamous “phoenix companies” who would in most cases, use [...]

Statutory Demand Fact Sheet – CTI Lawyers What is a Statutory Demand? This is an initiating process in Winding up a Company. A Statutory Demand is a demand made under 459E of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). This document is not issued by the Court. A Statutory Demand requires that the Company pay a specified sum of money within 21 [...]

High Court says dismissal for waving offensive sign during union protest was not unlawful adverse action – CTI Lawyers In a 3-2 majority, the High Court on 16 October determined that a long serving employee of BHP Coal who was a member of the CFMEU was not dismissed for participating in a lawful protest organised by the Union. The Fair [...]

No Implied Term of Mutual Trust and Confidence in Employment Contracts – CTI Lawyers In a keenly anticipated decision, the High Court has declared that, unlike the case in the UK, Australian employment contracts do not contain an implied term of mutual trust and confidence (the Implied Term). […]

DEBT RECOVERY SERVICEConstruction Trade Industry Lawyers provides a free Letter of Demand Service. In order to assist us prepare your letter of demand we require you to complete the Claim Form and provide copies of the invoices that have not been paid. Submit Your Claim

CONTRACTORS CAN NOW SERVE PAYMENT CLAIMS FOR CONSTRUCTION WORK ON MINING LEASESThe Queensland Court of Appeal has recently confirmed in J & D Rigging Pty Ltd v Agripower Australia Ltd & Ors [2013] QCA 406, that construction work on land subject to a mining lease will be captured by the provisions of the Building and Construction Industry Payments Act 2004 (Qld) (‘BCIPA’). Read More